St. John’s taxi drivers held up with a gun in two separate early morning incidents

The Compass

Published: Nov 13, 2018 at 2:24 p.m.

Updated: Nov 13, 2018 at 6:07 p.m.

A man suspected of attempting to rob a taxi driver Tuesday morning is shown in a still image taken from the CCTV inside the taxi. - Contributed

St. John’s, N.L. — The RNC is investigating two separate armed taxi robberies that happened early Tuesday morning.

At 5:30 a.m., officers were called to Cornwall Heights to a report by a taxi driver who had been called for a fare. When the taxi driver got there, a male entered his taxi with a firearm and tried to rob him.

The suspect wasn’t successful at obtaining any cash from the driver, but did assault him.

The driver was sent to hospital with minor injuries. The firearm was not discharged during the robbery.

A short time later, just after 6 a.m., the RNC were called to a second armed robbery on Amherst Place.

Another taxi driver reported that he was called to pick up a fare, and a man entered the taxi with a firearm. The driver ran from the car and wasn’t hurt.

The male suspect stole the taxi and crashed it nearby before running off with a second man.

In both cases, the suspect was described as wearing a dark (possibly grey) hoody. Police dog services were called to the area, but were not able to locate the suspect(s). RNC major crime unit is continuing this investigation.

Anyone with information on either of these armed robbery investigations is asked to contact the RNC at 729-8000 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Information can also be provided anonymously on the NL Crime Stoppers Website at www.nlcrimestoppers.com.